Published: Jul 22, 2017, 04:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 22, 2017, 04:02 PM (IST)
India started their tour to Sri Lanka on a positive. They went on to draw the only practice match with Sri Lanka Board President’s XI (SLBP XI) at Colombo. India first put up a clinical bowling performance, restricting the hosts at a paltry 187. Later, the entire the batting contributed to take the lead and then push the score beyond 300. India declared their innings after lunch, with Wriddhiman Saha unbeaten at 36. India will play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and a one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) following this match on the tour. India take 59-run lead against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at lunch, Day 2
On Day One, after SLBP XI lost the wicket of Kaushal Silva early in their innings, Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Thirimanne took charge of things, remaining unbeaten till lunch. In the beginning of the second session, Ravindra Jadeja brought India back into the game, bagging 3 wickets in quick succession that broke the big partnership and triggered the collapse. Jadeja then effected a run out to dismiss a set Gunathilaka. This wicket disturbed the stability of the SLBP XI even more. Kuldeep Yadav then followed up with Jadeja’s work, finishing with a 4-for that brought an end to the SLBP XI innings for 187 runs.
India too lost a quick wicket as opener Abhinav Mukund departed for a golden duck. KL Rahul paired up with skipper Virat Kohli. Rahul departed for 54 while Kohli (53) and Ajinkya Rahane (40) retired out. Post lunch, Rohit Sharma (38) and Shikhar Dhawan (41) built up another big partnership to help India increase the lead.
Among the SLBP XI bowlers, Vishwa Fernando, Tharindu Kaushal and Vikum Sanjaya were successful with wickets.
Brief scores:
SLBPXI 187 (Danushka Gunathilaka 74, Lahiru Thirimanne 59; Mohammed Shami 2 for 9, Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 31, Kuldeep Yadav 4 for 14) drew with India 312 for 9 (KL Rahul 54, Virat Kohli 53, Ajinkya Rahane 40, Rohit Sharma 38, Shikhar Dhawan 41, Wriddhiman Saha 36*; Vishwa Fernando 2 for 37, Vikum Sanjaya 1 for 64, Tharindu Kaushal 2 for 81)
